Apart from its budget-friendly prices and accessibility to key commercial areas of the city, a backpacker hostel is usually preferred by a young traveler because of the social interactions that happen within the premises. In backpacker hostels and guesthouses, the owners are hands-on and will converse with you daily. You also get to meet, greet, and mingle with dorm mates and other guests. At times, you even end up exploring the city with them. Backpacker hostels are better than other kinds of accommodations simply because they provide a unique and generally fun environment where you’ll almost always feel downright at home.
Planning to visit the different key cities of the Philippines? Do it the backpacker way! Spend the night at the following hotels for less than Php1,000.
MNL Boutique Hostel
Poblacion, Makati City
(63 906) 446-5617, (63 2) 511-7514
Budget: starts at Php540 per person per night
Services and Facilities: Free WiFi, heated power rain showers, 24/7 security – key card, no curfew, ?common room with HD TV, self-catering kitchen, book exchange with guide Books, a “COOL-Cierge” and tour desk for local knowledge and tips.
Nearby attractions: Makati and Bonifacio Global City malls, museums, and restaurants
MNL Boutique Hostel is a two-level hostel conveniently located at the street right behind A. Venue Mall in Makati Avenue. From MNL, backpackers can just walk to check out the different malls, restaurants, shops and attractions within the city. Just a few steps away is a 24-hour convenience store, an ATM, and a supermarket.
Room rates are affordable, be it their dorm type or their double/twin rooms. Beds start at Php540/night and they occasionally offer discounts.
Inclusive of your stay at MNL are: an 8-inch spring mattress, hotel-grade linen and pillows, duvet for all private rooms, a personal console per bed (for your electronics, accessories, and other personal items), a lamp, and an electrical socket. There are lockers for dorm-type rooms.
MNL also holds BYOB (Bring Your Own Beer) afternoons and evenings for both locals and tourists alike. Just grab a beer or your drink of choice at the nearest store and hang out on the hostel's side walk to meet new people and hear their stories.
To book, visit: www.mnlboutiquehostel.com
Our Awesome Hostel
Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City
(63 917) 800-2870, (63 2) 804-2013
Budget: starts at Php600 per person per night
Services and Facilities: “Hostel-Warming” parties every Thursday night, 24-hour security, access to the roof deck with the view, daily housekeeping service, FREE WIFI and PC access, travel tips and Filipino warmth and hospitality from staff
Nearby attractions: Makati and Bonifacio Global City malls, museums, and restaurants
Our Awesome Hostel was founded by young Filipino travelers who have studied in Europe and traversed more than 30 countries around the world. Just a six minute walk from Bonifacio Global City, Our Awesome Hostel is very near the nightlife hub of the city. With regular hostel-warming parties and barbecue-beerpong-‘foosball’ get-togethers, Our Awesome Hostel is perfect for young, social butterflies who travels primarily to meet people and have fun.
For direct bookings, send an email to ourawesomehostel@yahoo.com.
Photos from Our Awesome Hostel’s Facebook Page
Hilik Boutique Hostel
Makati Avenue, Makati City
(63 917) 892-9569
Budget: starts at Php550 per person per night
Services and Facilities: Lounge area, cable TV, complimentary use of massage chair, self-service kitchen, free continental breakfast, 24-hour security, free WiFi, hot & cold showers, no curfew, tour packages, travel advice
?Nearby attractions: Makati and Bonifacio Global City malls, museums, and restaurants
‘Hilik’ is a Filipino term for ‘snore’. This small backpacker’s hostel along Makati Avenue ensures that their guests get to have a peaceful sleep while in Metro Manila. (Don’t worry if your dorm mates snore. There are free earplugs available in the concierge.)
The front desk sells essentials like sodas, mineral water, snacks, and toiletries. Hilik also has its own business center, where you can access the internet, and fax.
Sleek, clean, and colorful, Hilik Boutique Hostel provides an ambiance guaranteed to make guests feel right at home.
To book, email: hilikboutiquehostel@gmail.com.
Photos from Hilik’s Facebook Page
Where 2 Next Manila Hostel
Adriatico Street, Manila
(63 917) 804-0434
Budget: starts at Php550 per person per night
Services and Facilities: Free WiFi, free breakfast, coffee and tea facilities, 24 Hour reception, air conditioned and fan rooms, book exchange, free city maps, and boardgames.
Nearby attractions: Malate church, Intramuros, Manila Bay, Rizal Park (Luneta), Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Star City
Located at the heart of Manila, Where 2 Next is a fairly-new backpacker hostel which aims to provide travelers a clean, comfortable and affordable accommodation at budget-friendly prices. Aside from its vibrant design, Where 2 Next distinguishes itself from other hostels by being heavily involved in charity and community building.
Where 2 Next has four dorm rooms available: 14 beds, 12 beds, 6 beds (female) and 6 beds (male). They also offer private rooms for 2-3 people.
The hostel is nearby Manila museums, churches, art galleries, National Library, parks, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
To book, email: enquiries@where2nexthostel.com .
Photos from Where 2 Next's website.
House of Rose
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
(63 48) 434-1316, (63 906) 505-1829
Budget: starts at Php350/person
Services and Facilities: free WiFi, use of swimming pool, and billiards table, tour packages and airport transport are available
Nearby Palawan Attractions: Underground River, Crocodile Farm, Honda Bay
Located near the airport and a few minutes from Puerto Princesa City, House of Rose provides comfortable stay in native-style cottages, amidst lush green trees.
House of Rose has a 5-bed dorm-style backpacker room with private bathroom which can be rented for Php350 per person. You have to pay additional Php160 per night if you want to use their AC. Their private bungalows are also affordable, priced at Php1,100/2 persons.
To book, contact Susan or Anne through: andyhouseofrose@gmail.com.
Coron Backpacker Guesthouse
Coron, Busuanga, Palawan
(63 916) 400-4871
Budget: starts at Php500 per room
Services and Facilities: kitchen with fridge and oven, free WiFi, free coffee, free drinking water, pick up services, assistance in booking all kinds of dive, boat trips or other activities, 42” led TV with cable channels at the lounge area.
Nearby Palawan Attractions: Coron Island, Kayangan Lake, Lake Barracuda, Maniquit falls, Mount Tapyas
Open for a few years now, Coron Backpacker Guesthouse is standing on pillars right by the sea—a native Filipino style of constructing houses. The guesthouse has 9 fan rooms, a spacious lounge, and a well-equipped kitchen area.
To book, email coronbackpacker@gmail.com
Photos from: Coron Backpacker Guesthouse’ Facebook Page
Aguluz Guesthouse
Donsol, Sorsogon
(63 918) 942-0897, (63 920) 952-8170, (63 917) 514-5905
Budget: starts at Php890 per room or Php445 per person
Services and Facilities: WiFi, airport transfer, breakfast, BBQ facilities, laundry service, free use of kitchen and shared lounge/TV area, smoking area, tour packages.
Nearby Attractions: Ogod River, Whaleshark Interaction Center
Checking in at Aguluz Guesthouse is pretty much like visiting the house of a Filipino relative. Marilyn and Pepe, who run the guesthouse, are very warm and friendly. They would go out of the way to make sure their guests enjoy their stay.
The rooms are basic and clean. The food they serve here are great representatives of home-style Filipino cooking. At night, you are free to hang out in the garden and enjoy drinks brought from nearby sari-sari stores.
Aguluz Guesthouse is a short tricycle ride away from Butanding Center and the river where you’ll get to watch fireflies.
To book, email: razomarilyn@yahoo.com.
Photos from Aguluz Guesthouse’s Facebook Page.
Mayon Backpacker Hostel
Legazpi City, Albay, Bicol
(63 52) 480-0365 (Landline), (63 905) 518-6076 (Mobile)
Budget: starts at Php250 per bed
Services and Facilities: Free WiFi, free breakfast (toast and fruit) every morning, free coffee, tea, & water all day, rooftop terrace view of the Mayon volcano, no curfew, 24-hour reception, book exchange, free kitchen use, tour packages.
Nearby attractions: Cagsawa Ruins, Daraga church, Lignon Hill, Albay Park and Wildlife
Mayon Backpackers Hostel is family-run, backpacker hostel in Legazpi. They provide a fun social environment where guests can relax, make friends with other travelers and swap travel stories and advice. Located in the Albay district, close to the city center and the airport, Mayon Backpackers Hostel offers dorm-style accommodations and private rooms at affordable prices.
To book, email: mayonbackpackers@gmail.com.
Photos from Mayon Backpacker Hostel’s website.
MNL Beach Hostel Boracay
Bulabog, Brgy. Balabag, Boracay Island
(63 998) 220-5700, (63 917) 702-2160
Budget: starts at Php400 per person per day
Services and Facilities: sun deck, free WiFi, heated power rain showers, airconditioned and fan rooms available, 24/7 Security, no curfew, common room with HD TV, book exchange, kitchen, COOL-cierge and tour desk, nightly fun-tivities and BYOB.
From the founders of MNL Boutique Hostel in Makati, comes MNL Beach Hostel, Boracay’s “number 1 hostel” (as per Trip Advisor). Just like its Manila counterpart, MNL is also hip, colorful and targeted to fun-loving visitors of one of the best beaches in the world.
To book, email: boracay@mnlboutiquehostel.com.
Photos from MNL Beach Hostel’s Website.
Tr3ats Guesthouse
V. Rama Avenue, Cebu City
(63 32) 422-8881, (63 917) 888-2069
Budget: starts at Php388 per person
Services and Facilities: 24 hour Reception, LCD cable TV, free WiFi, laundry services, luggage storage, round-the-clock housekeeping, Tuba Cafe (rooftop cafeteria)
Tr3ats Guesthouse is a smal and budget-friendly establishment nearby the key areas in Cebu City. The rooms and bathrooms at Tr3ats are narrow but clean and basic. You would have to climb flights of stairs to reach the guesthouse so this can be tricky for the elderly.
To book, visit their website: http://www.tr3ats.com/
Photos are from Tr3ats Guesthouse’ website.
Nipa Hut Village
Loboc, Bohol
(63 946) 640-4939, (63 922) 453-6056
Budget: starts at Php250 per person per night
Services and Facilities: airport transfer, laundry service, room service, smoking area, tour packages, airport shuttle services, motorbike rental.
Nipa Hut Village is located next to Loboc River and is short ride from other Bohol attractions like The Tarsier Sanctuary, the Zipline and the Chocolate Hills.
To book, email: info@boholguesthouse.com
Green Windows Dormitel 188
5th Floor FTC TOWER, 1034 Mt. Apo Street, 8000 Davao City
(63 820) 300-3893, (63 82) 300-3896
Budget: starts at Php188 per person per night
Services and Facilities: free WiFi, hot and cold shower, laundry service, 24 hour convenience store, TV, 24 hour security
Green Windows quickly rose to fame among local and foreign backpackers because of their very attractive P188/bed/night promotion. A price that cheap would usually raise eyebrows and lower expectations but Green Windows Dormitel surprisingly over-delivers. The building is fairly new. Concierge at the lobby is always helpful. The dorm rooms are spacious and thick-walled, getting a good night’s sleep here is easily achievable.
To book, email greenwindowsdormitel@gmail.com.
Photos are from Green Windows Dormitel’s website.
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All prices quoted above are updated as of May 2014.
Have you stayed in a local backpacker hostel that's not on this list? Recommend your favorites in the comments section.
